Life & numbers

In 2012 EU has published a report on Fisheries Policy in Europe with the main figures and facts from the official Member States and statistics data from Eurostat, FAO and EU Fleet Register.

A great catch

The main world producer of fish is China, that represents about 34,4 % of global fisheries and aquaculture production. China is followed by India (5,4 %), Peru (4,8 %) and Indonesia (4,7). The EU is the fourth producer of fish in the world with 4,4 % of global fisheries. Within the EU the main producers in terms of volume are Spain, Denmark and the United Kingdom.

Main fish producers worldwide

Within the European Union the main species caught are European sprat (11%), Herring (10%), Mackerel (7%) and Sand eels (7%).

Main species caught in the EU (percentage of total volume in tonnes live weight)

For the main report with figures and facts on employment in the fisheries sector, vehicles and aquaculture production please click here.